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2019 Subaru Ascent grabs IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating

Good performance in crash tests and collision avoidance adds up to top rating

September 19, 2018

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The 2019 Subaru Ascent is the latest recipient of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) Top Safety Pick+ rating, which is awarded to vehicles that attain certain crash safety performance levels, in addition to featuring safety technology.

"To qualify for Top Safety Pick+, a vehicle must have good ratings in the driver-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests, as well as an acceptable or good rating in the passenger-side small overlap front test," the IIHS says. "It also must have a front crash prevention system that earns an advanced or superior rating and good-rated headlights."

The Ascent achieved the top rating of Good across the board when it comes to crash tests, including the challenging small overlap front test, which has proven notoriously difficult for some automakers to achieve acceptable results in. This test replicates a glancing type of impact where only a small portion of the front of the vehicle, covering about a quarter of its front fascia, makes contact with a solid barrier in its path. This crash simulation is designed to mimic more realistic impacts, since in real life 100 percent of a vehicle's front rarely makes contact with 100 percent of another vehicle or object -- many collisions expose only a portion of a vehicle to contact.

Another factor that contributed to the Ascent's achievement of a Top Safety Pick+ was the vehicle's EyeSight system, offered for several years now on Subaru vehicles, which uses a mix of radar and cameras to monitor the road ahead (and behind) and take preventive action when needed.

"The Ascent earns good crashworthiness ratings across the board and comes with standard, superior-rated front crash prevention," the institute noted. "In IIHS track tests at 12 mph and 25 mph, the Ascent avoided collisions. The system also has a forward collision warning component that meets National Highway Traffic Safety Administration criteria."

However, not all versions of the Ascent received the same praise. While the IIHS noted that the LED headlights on the Touring and Limited trim versions of the vehicle earned a Good rating, the institute pointed out that the base halogen headlights offer poor performance.

"The low beams provide inadequate visibility and also create excessive glare for drivers of oncoming vehicles," the IIHS reported.

The Ascent went on sale this year after a debut at the 2017 LA auto show, becoming the brand's second three-row crossover after the Tribeca, which was discontinued. The Ascent is also Subaru's largest vehicle ever and is offered solely with a new turbocharged 2.4-liter, 260-hp flat-four coupled with a continuously variable automatic transmission. The Ascent is offered in four trim levels: base, premium, limited and touring, and starts at $35,170.